Chapter 184
Chapter 184
Translator: Penny
Chapter 184
After the truly intense game of One Card ended, Ryu Jaehee whispered to me as we cleared the table.
"See? What did I tell you? Hajun Hyung definitely has the look of a card shark. Of course, he's not on Hajun Hyung's level, but I have an uncle with similar thick eyebrows and slightly downturned eyes who sweeps the Hwatu table clean every holiday."
"Hey, idiot! What kind of card shark plays One Card? It's all luck!"
"Hyung, all card sharks appear to have insane luck on the surface. But they're the ones who make the 30% luck, 70% skill principle a reality."
"If you're so curious, go ask Jun if he used any tricks, you little brat."
Gyeon Hajun, today's MVP in One Card, answered Ryu Jaehee's question with a single, dismissive sentence:
"Why would you even need to use techniques in One Card?"
It was a truly expert-like response.
After tidying up, all five of us sat in a row before the low table. The blanket we'd used as a One Card mat now lay draped across my and Ryu Jaehee's shoulders.
"Let's set aside the sitcom for a moment and get back to Reve! In celebration of Chuseok, we'll take some time to exchange well wishes!"
"If we do it face-to-face, we'll get too embarrassed to say anything! That's why I prepared a rolling paper. Feel free to write not only holiday greetings but also anything else you've wanted to say to each other."
Each member received a slip of paper with their name on it.
The fun of these things is writing without giving away who wrote it. I carefully penned long, heartfelt messages on each member's rolling paper.
We took turns writing on each other's papers, and then, as the leader, I started the reading session.
"Happy New Year! Who wrote this? Kim Dobin, is that you? It's you, isn't it?"
It turned out I wasn't the only one who received this bizarre New Year's greeting. Victims were popping up everywhere.
"I got 'Happy New Year' too! I was wondering who wrote it!"
"Who wishes someone a Happy New Year during Chuseok? This is insane, seriously."
"Dobin, those are greetings for the Lunar New Year and the solar New Year."
Everyone pointed to Kim Dobin without a shred of doubt, and as expected, there was no twist. Kim Dobin scratched his head and mumbled an excuse in a barely audible voice:
"It was supposed to be a holiday blessing..."
After each person gave Kim Dobin a gentle scolding, we moved on to the next blessing. This one was quite lengthy:
"The end of the year is already approaching. You've worked so hard as our leader this year. I know I don't usually express it, but I'm always grateful for how you dedicate yourself to Reve. I'm sorry for placing such a heavy burden on you alone, and I'll try my best to keep up with you. Let's finish the year strong. This sounds like Jun, right?"
Gyeon Hajun shook his head at my question.
"Not me."
"Then it must be you, youngest member?"
"Not me either. I only use informal language with Dobin Hyung."
That left only...
"Hey, give it back! I'll erase it!"
Seo Yehyeon, his ears flushed crimson, reached for my rolling paper.
No way... Seo Yehyeon wrote this? It was the biggest plot twist of the year.
"It's great to see you becoming more relaxed. Let's keep living like this, without rushing. This must be from Jun. Hyung, all your songs are amazing, so don't feel pressured. Keep making great music! - Jaehee"
It seemed everyone had chosen genuine well-wishes over jokes.
Next up was Seo Yehyeon's turn to read.
"If I had to pick the person who's grown the most among us, I'd definitely say it's you, Hyung. Seeing you work so hard despite your initial shortcomings really inspired me. Now that you've improved so much, you should be proud of yourself. Let's keep fighting together! This is definitely from Hajun. 100% Hajun."
"Why does everyone automatically assume I wrote anything even slightly long? I didn't even write that much!"
Gyeon Hajun waved his hand dismissively. Seo Yehyeon cautiously turned to Ryu Jaehee and asked, "Then... the youngest member?"
"I wrote in formal speech, remember?"
"Dobin... wrote about New Year's blessings... so that leaves..."
Seo Yehyeon stared at me as if he'd seen a ghost. Irritated by his expression, I reached for the rolling paper.
"Ugh, give it back. I'll erase it and write something shorter."
"Wow, I finally understand how you felt just now," Seo Yehyeon muttered, covering his mouth.
The reading order continued smoothly. Kim Dobin, the author of the New Year's blessing that had completely lost track of the holiday's date, grumbled as he read the blessing written on his own rolling paper:
"Grow just 3cm taller. Because you're the only one in the 170s, Reve's average height is only 180.6cm. I'm already upset about being the shortest in Reve right now, so who wrote this?! Is this supposed to be a blessing?!"
"That was me."
I casually raised my hand. Kim Dobin nodded with a determined expression.
"Since it's a blessing from our Leader, I'll do my best to grow taller."
With the early Chuseok special finally over, I asked, "Hey, anyone want to go see the Drop The Beat (DTB) finals tomorrow?"
Tomorrow marked the finals of DTB Season 3, a month after the semifinals. Naturally, the final stage would be broadcast live.
The audience panel had been recruited in advance, so only those who had applied and been selected through a lottery could attend. But thanks to Yongcheol Hyung's connections, I could skip all that and get in without any hassle.
He said I could bring a couple of people, so I asked the Maknae Line, who were both avid DTB fans. If they declined, I'd either bring some friends or just go alone.
"Me! Me!"
"Gasp! I want to go too!"
As expected, both members of the Maknae Line eagerly raised their hands to go. I asked Gyeon Hajun and Seo Yehyeon out of courtesy, but they both declined.
"Hyung, you said you're close to D.I, right? You just made an Instagram account too. Why aren't you posting anything to encourage voting?" Ryu Jaehee asked.
I shook my head. "If I posted anything, people would just say Yongcheol Hyung got votes through connections and idol popularity. It's better not to post at all."
Deep down, I wanted to help Yongcheol Hyung win this time, unlike before the regression. But I knew that if I got involved, his hard work and talent would be dismissed. The best course of action was to quietly support him.
Just look at the Semi-Final song. Some people were already mocking him, claiming it only hit number one on the charts because of the featured idol's fans.
That song hit number one even before the regression, you hip-hop purists who freak out at the sight of idol rappers!
Wearing a hat and mask, I arrived at the broadcasting station set for the final stage.
Even so, glances still darted our way, thanks to the camera Ryu Jaehee was carrying.
Though we were initially stopped, explaining the situation got us through more easily than if it had been a pre-recorded segment. If it had been pre-recorded, there would have been no leeway.
The final stage winner would be determined by two votes: live audience voting and text voting.
The combined results of these two votes would determine the final outcome.
"Hyung, we just vote for D.I, right?" the maknae line asked, their voices lowered.
I replied indifferently, "You should vote for whichever performance you liked better. Why are you asking me for confirmation?"
Originally, choices like this shouldn't be forced. BQ9 had the first performance in the final round.
"They're undeniably good," I muttered, watching BQ9's performance in awe. Even though I'd marked them as jerks, their skill and personality were separate matters.
The beat wasn't great, but they compensated with an ear-worm hook and their unique rap style.
Yongcheol Hyung, on the other hand, had a weaker hook but a much better beat. His rap skills were, of course, beyond reproach. Naturally, I voted for Yongcheol Hyung's performance.
In the live voting, BQ9, who performed first, received ₩3,101,000, while D.I, who performed second, got ₩2,950,000. BQ9 led by a narrow margin.
"Now, let's announce the final results, including the text votes!"
At the MC's words, I unconsciously clenched my fists.
"Ah, please... less than a ₩200,000 difference... please let him win..."
The numbers began to spin like a slot machine.
BQ9
₩8,801,000
LOSE
D.I
₩9,101,000
WIN!
Whether my fervent prayers had worked or not, Yongcheol Hyung had finally won, by a mere ₩300,000.
As I watched Yongcheol Hyung wipe away tears on stage, I clapped enthusiastically.
"How does it feel to see the person you're supporting win?"
"Proud. Happy. Admirable... Admirable? Is it okay to use that word in this situation?"
"Is it okay to just barge into the waiting room like this?" Ryu Jaehee, who had appointed himself as the cameraman, asked casually.
"Ah, it's fine. He's a close hyung," I replied nonchalantly, giving a perfunctory knock on the waiting room door before throwing it open.
"What are you guys up to? Filming something?" Yongcheol Hyung, who had been sitting blankly with tear-streaked, red-rimmed eyes, startled at the sight of the camera and asked in surprise.
I tossed the bouquet of flowers I'd received from Manager Hyung into his arms. "Yeah, we're filming a reality show right now."
"Wow, you're a celebrity now."
"Hyung, say hi to the camera."
When I pointed to the camera Ryu Jaehee was holding, Yongcheol Hyung awkwardly turned to face it and gave a stiff wave.
"Hello, I'm D.I."
"Real name: Lee Yongcheol."
"I told you not to call me Yongcheol! Why do you keep using that name when I have a perfectly good stage name, D.I., you brat?"
"Isn't it the other way around? Your real name isn't D.I., Hyung."
Yongcheol Hyung chuckled, carefully placed the bouquet on the table, and then locked me in a headlock.
"So this is the source of all the headlocks we've endured..." Kim Dobin muttered.
"Yongcheol! Let's go!" Baek's shout from behind allowed me to escape Yongcheol Hyung's grip.
"Ah, Hyung! I told you not to call me Yongcheol!" Yongcheol Hyung grumbled at Baek, then turned back to me and asked,
"Want to come to the after-party?"
"Nah, I didn't even perform. Why would I go? Besides, I brought these guys along. It'd be weird to go alone."
"Why not invite them too?"
"Our youngest member is underage."
At that, Yongcheol Hyung glanced at Kim Dobin instead of Ryu Jaehee and nodded.
It was understandable why Yongcheol Hyung might have been confused. Ryu Jaehee was much taller than me, and he'd lost a lot of his baby fat, making him look far less youthful.
In comparison, Kim Dobin still seemed... perpetually immature.
"Congrats on the win, Hyung."
I grinned and offered my congratulations. Yongcheol Hyung patted my back lightly and said with a chuckle, "Yeah, let me know when you're free. We should have a proper celebration."
I watched Yongcheol Hyung join the rest of the cast before turning away.
"Are you going to compete next year too, Hyung?"
"I don't know. I know I wouldn't exactly be welcomed back with open arms."
I replied casually to Kim Dobin's question. I wasn't desperate enough to set aside everything else just for the sake of performing on stage.
The broadcast date for the first episode of the reality show Reve Time had arrived.
- Please, please don't let our kids get isolated this time.
- My Idol was basically a "L" isolation special.
- I watched My Idol again after a long time, and Reve was so fresh and innocent back then, lol. They really looked like rookies.
A documentary-style segment appeared on the screen:
National Reve Graphic - Ecological Observation of Five Members
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny